THE DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL ACCREDITED BY NAEYC

LOWELL - The Demonstration School, a partnership between the Graduate School of Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Lowell Public Schools, has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children - the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.

"We're thrilled to be accredited by NAEYC, and recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," says Dr. Ann Benjamin, director of the Demonstration School. "NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences."

Founded to provide exemplary early childhood instruction to children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the preschool to fourth grade school benefits from a unique partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell Graduate School of Education and the Lowell public school system. Inspired by former Education Dean Virginia Biggy, the Demonstration School has received enthusiastic support from key individuals on both sides of the partnership, including George Tsapatsaris, retired Lowell Superintendent of Schools; Donald Pierson, dean of the Graduate School of Education; William Hogan, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell; and Karla Brooks-Baehr, superintendent of the Lowell Public Schools.

Benjamin credits the Demonstration School's partners for its accomplishment. "The support we received over the years from Lowell administrators, from Lowell School Committee members, and from numerous University boosters is not only appreciated, it lies at the core of our success."

The accreditation team observed the early childhood classrooms of Pilar Fabery, Thida Loeung, and Terry Clark as part of the accreditation process. Fabery, an eleven-year veteran of the school, says that she is proud, happy and relieved that the visit was successful: "We trusted that our work at the Demonstration School would reflect the best educational practice and the visiting team agreed."

NAEYC created its accreditation program in 1985 to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality early education programs. To earn NAEYC's accreditation, a program conducts a self-study to determine how well it meets the standards. After necessary improvements are made, the program is observed by independent, professional validators, and then reviewed by a national panel. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period.